A beautiful aquarium fence in Turkey.

Mehmet Ali Gökçeoğlu decided to build the coolest aquarium for his pet fish in his luxurious villa in Turkey. He went overboard and built the famous aquarium out in the open, in the form of a 50 meter long fence, surrounding his home. The wacky idea cost the millioniare plenty of thousands of dollars, but pretty soon, he saw his dream come true. The fence was a “fully furnished” aquarium, home to more than 1,000 fish, but also a few octopuses. The 50-meter-long aquarium has become a regular tourist attraction, and thousands of visitors come every day to admire the wondrous fish-fence. The hardest part of making the aqua-ence was connecting it to the Aegean sea with the aid of a 400-meter-long underground pipeline. This humongous conduct continuously changes the water, that is why it looks crystal clear and the fishes are extremely happy. The total amount spent on this cool aquarium fence was $21,000, but still has several costs with security and maintenance. The stunning aqua-fence is kept safe with the aid of more than 17 facial recognition security cameras. Visitors which line-up to see this cool, man-made structure are allowed to take pictures, or even film the aqua-fence, but if they come too close, they risk setting off an alarm. Contributed by Coolweirdo.com.

ANTIBIOTIC REDUCTION IN GERMAN PIG INDUSTRY.

The German animal husbandry sector has reduced the use of antibiotics in production by using strategic methods to minimize the use. The level of reduction was identified by cooating of data from veterinarians who recorded when antibiotics were administered and the length of time the treatment lapsed. The German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) reported the decline in the use of antibiotics. This office is reporting the total usage in animal husbandry, in combination with the frequency of treatments,every 6 months and new frequency figures become available. The new figures became available for the last 6 months of 2015 and highlighted the following ; 2 benchmark figures emerged; first of all, a treatment frequency goal, which is being met by 75% of all pig farms. Piglets up to 30 kg were treated on average 13.57 times – a reduction of over 7 treatments in comparison to the first 6 months of 2015. In finisher production, the frequency dropped from 6.5 to 4.6 times. The broiler and turkey production sector showed similar trends; Broilers were given antibiotics on average over 22 times, compared to 27 times in the first 6 months of 2015. In turkeys, the frequency dropped from over 40 to over 32. The other benchmark figure is a frequency goal which is met by 50% of all farms. Here also the development is positive over all animal species. The German Farmers' Association (DBV) said the frequency figure is being calculated on the basis of vets, who need to report every 6 months how many animals they been treated with antibiotics. In addition, they are required to report how long these treatments took and also the types of antibiotics need to be recorded, but these are not expressed in the final figures. For all data, a central reporting office has been set up. The BVL multiplies the number of treated animals with the number of treatment days and divides the result by the average amount of animals on these farms in these 6 months. Individual farms that exceed the benchmark of 50%, are requested to contact their veterinarians to discuss how to lower their usage. Despite question marks about the accuracy of these figures, it looks like the sector has eventually managed to reduce antibiotic consumption. It remains to be seen how much lower this can get. materials from pig progress.

Chikungunya spreads to Turkish mosquitoes.

Chikungunya has been detected for the first time among Turkish mosquitoes, while West Nile virus and other mosquito-specific flaviviruses and alphaviruses also continue to proliferate in the region, according to data presented at European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2016. Previously reported data has described the prevalence of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus (WNV) and other viruses to be increasing throughout various regions of Turkey, the researchers wrote, and often are concurrent with the emergence of case clusters. In addition, data presented at the same conference in 2015 also detailed the spread of WNV in neighboring Greece from 2011-2014. To investigate WNV and other mosquito-borne flaviviruses and alphaviruses in Turkish regions with increased residencies and refugee travel, the researchers sampled mosquitoes between June 2015 and August 2015 in the Aegean, Mediterranean and eastern Thrace regions. Captured using CDC light traps, the specimens were pooled and subjected to nucleic acid purification and cDNA synthesis after homogenization. Alphaviruses and flaviviruses were detected using generic nested and real-time PCR, with mosquito pools determined to be positive characterized by amplicon sequencing.The researchers collected and analyzed 4,105 specimens, the majority of which were obtained in eastern Thrace. The most prevalent species detected among these were Aedes caspius (61.2%), Anopheles maculipennis sensu lato (19.1%), Culex pipiens sensu lato (13.7%) and C. theileri (3.3%). All specimens were consolidated into 188 pools for the analysis. Alphavirus PCRs revealed positive results within two of the analysis pools, while flavivirus PCRs detected eight positive pools. Specimens in the alphavirus-positive pools were found to be carrying chikungunya virus — the first detection of the disease in Turkey. Diseases identified in the flavivirus-positive pools included WNV lineage 1 clade 1a, Mediterranean Culex Flavivirus and Mediterranean Ochleratatus Flavivirus. “Despite detection in mosquito species with limited vector potential, appropriate surveillance and diagnostic measures should be undertaken to monitor virus epidemiology and potential emergence of human cases,” the researchers wrote. Read more at European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2016.

ANTIBIOTIC- FREE POULTRY PRODUCTION.

There’s no one, perfect solution for antibiotic-free poultry production, according to veterinarians at leading companies in the industry. Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, vice president of food safety and quality at Perdue Farms, and Dr. Jeff Courtney, director of veterinarian services at Pilgrim's Pride, and Dr. Brian Wooming, senior staff veterinarian at Cargill Turkey Products, shared their views on antibiotic-free production (ABF) issues ranging from training growers on antibiotic-free practices to using curative antibiotics in an ABF environment. They offered these advice at a workshop on judicious use of antibiotics ; read more @ wattagnet.com

FOOD SECURITY NETWORK.

This is simply the partnership between producers,processors,marketers and financial institutions.The race to ensure food security is hinged on production backed by finances.

The producers are the farmers that are directly involved in production.The producers phase can be further divided into sub heads to facilitate better production,lets analyse the poultry sector; farmers have a choice of rearing the various types of bird that generate revenue.

 The production phase could be short,long term or seasonal when you consider rearing towards festivities.Every aspect of production is important and is a valuable segment of the food security network.

The production phase is regarded as successful, when the expected by-products are available at stipulated times with a profit margin to all stakeholders. The processors and producers work in sync to achieve a profitable production cycle.

When the products are ready, the processors ensures that they are packaged in various forms to suit the market.

In poultry,the chicken can be processed and sold as plain,smoked,stewed,barbecue,or as fried.

The eggs are collected and processed as egg powder,this value addition increases the  profit margin and prevents food loss/waste by preventing egg glut.









 This chart explains further;. The egg powder plant,another money spinner in the poultry chain.

The demand for egg powder is very high especially with food vendors,eateries and restaurants, the inclusion of an egg powder plant in the production cycle will further boost revenue generation,food availability and accessibility.

PROFIT POTENTIAL OF RAISING TURKEY.

A farmer explains the benefits of raising turkeys for profit;Ms Leadoux would not have it any other way, although she got involved because of her husband. Ms Leadoux produces about 6,000 turkeys throughout the year, with preparation for Christmas starting more than 12 months ahead of the festive season.However, she said demand for turkey throughout the year had resulted in huge increases in demand."We are struggling to keep up," she said."We have worked pretty hard to establish a market throughout the year, which means we are producing turkey more often. We are continually knocking back orders at this time of the year, and big orders, like 400 birds."Ms Leadoux said the potential for further increases in demand was "absolutely huge""People have traditionally seen turkey as a festive fare, a speciality meat," she said. "People have been amazed at the variety. When we first started going down to the market, people would walk past the stand. We started taste-testing the product, and getting them to try it."Now it's just phenomenal. The potential of this business is absolutely huge." The profit potential is phenomenal, an aspect of the value chain that is a goldmine. # turkey # poultry # profit # market. story source;ABC NEWS.

AVIAN INFLUENZA # SIGNS #

POULTRY PRODUCTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

A team of researchers from US University of Delaware traveled to Africa in 2012 to search for exemplary chickens that could survive a hotter planet. The purpose was to develop new breeds of farm animals that can stand up to the hazards of global warming. Heat-resistant breeds of farm animals will be essential to feeding the world as climate change takes hold. This means that efforts such as trying to map the genetic code of African naked-neck chickens to find out if their ability to withstand heat can be bred into broiler flocks.Warmer temperatures can cause a lot of problems for animals like turkeys as these are vulnerable to a condition that makes their breast meat mushy and unappetizing. Turkeys are not heat tolerant at all, and when heat waves strike their breast muscles problems. According to Gale Strasburg, a professor of food science and human nutrition at Michigan State University Within a day or two after the heat wave hits, you will go from there being no problem at all on a farm to 40% of turkey breasts having a problem. Heat waves and temperature changes linked to breed susceptibility are points of focus for research on producing more heat resistant breeds to ensure food security.Work is ongoing on breeding techniques to incorporate the heat tolerant strains into lines of production.

CALF BORN WITH HEART IN THE NECK!!!.

The year has been filled with spectacular breakthroughs in science especially in animal health and production,also strange discoveries were uncovered.One of the strange occurrence is the calf born with heart in the neck. This rare case was reported by the Observer-reporter Washington Co.;Tom Leech had never seen anything like it in his 15 years living at Longview Farms in Amwell Township. There was something unusual about the newborn Shorthorn bull he brought in from the frigid air one Saturday in March.He warmed up the calf with a blow dryer and electric blanket, which warded off hypothermia. But when he touched his neck, he felt a pulsation. Ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom.It was his heart.!!!.“No one has ever seen it, never heard of it,” said Leech, who owns the family farm with his wife, Debbie. The calf’s mother, G.I. Jane, has birthed healthy calves in the past, and so has the father. None of the calves born at Longview, a cattle-breeding farm, has had any genetic disorders or abnormalities.But the 6-week-old youngster, dubbed Cardio Brisket, is a “unique calf,” Debbie said. Dr. Todd Moores of Wheeling Veterinary Associates has seen two-headed calves before, but never one with a heart in its neck.“I could tell by looking at it. You can see the heart beating right there,” Moores said. “It even makes a noise because there’s fluid around it, so it makes a sloshing noise.”He said Brisket appears to have a defect in his thoracic inlet, and he suspects that his sternum never developed properly. Several ribs may be missing, as well. The opening allowed the heart to prolapse into the neck region, and while it can be pushed down, it just “flops out” again, Tom said. Researchers at the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine offered to take Brisket for testing, but they couldn’t guarantee his survival, so the Leeches declined. Besides, they were starting to consider Brisket a valuable member of their farm family. Brisket stays in the barn, apart from the other 20-some cattle. He is taken out separately during the day to get exercise.“They’re like kids,” Tom said. “They start playing, they start butting, and I’m afraid they’ll butt his chest and could possibly injure his heart.”Moores said it’s hard to tell how long Brisket could live. He has a heart murmur, which could lead to complications when he grows bigger. The Leeches said they will keep him as long as they can, though. They don’t want to take him to the fair and display him like a “circus attraction,” Debbie said, but they wanted to document the case for future reference. Despite the complications, Brisket appears to be getting by. He just started eating grain and has no problem swallowing the food.“He’s healthy, but all the people I’ve talked to said, ‘You’ve got to put him down,’” Tom said. “If he was suffering, we would probably do something with him, but he’s not.” There has been 2 other documented cases of such abnormality ;one in Kentucky in 1903, and another in Turkey, but the date was unknown.

MUSIC AND THE POULTRY VALUE CHAIN.

The food industry is experiencing a lot of innovations with various researches on going to improve the quality and quantity of products within a stipulated time. A farmer has incorporated the use of classical music in his turkey production. He decided to incorporate the music to stabilize his birds, when he discovered they were uncomfortable/ restless. He started playing classical music to the poults and he discovered that it improved their health and happiness. He has now attracted more visitors to his farm, as they can hear the birds before they are visible. Expansion is the next move on the farmer's agenda because of the success of his birds. Ewart Sylvester plays baroque music to his turkeys and says it has made a big difference to their health and happiness."Initially it was done because the birds were very rowdy in the pen and to us it seemed to be too loud," he said."When we walk out from the house and we look across the paddock and you can see them winging it, well, it puts a smile on your face when you can see a happy bird."It makes a difference for them and we believe it makes for a more tender meat." Read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-28/organic-turkey-appeal/6728022 https://veterinarymedicineechbeebolanle-ojuri.blogspot.com/

PROCESSING OF LIVE CHICKEN .

The poultry farmers and operators of chicken business in the country are happy about the recent ban on importation of chicken and turkey,because this means rapid growth for the poultry industry in the country. The poultry farmers and operators have allayed all fears of citizens about the constant supply of poultry products,stating that they are capable of supply in large quantities as at when needed. It will be recalled that before the advent of imported frozen chicken and turkey,people normally sourced their poultry from the market,where its killed and dressed to specification.The ban will ensure purchasing of more live chicken/turkey which will also attract more processors thus creating jobs. Chicken processing can be a money spinner if attached to a live bird market,this will even curb spread of diseases.CThILQiB_88/VaP1syA4BGI/AAAAAAAABww/yaoS7srRfrI/s320/IMG_20150713_125229.jpg" />

MADE IN NAIJA CHICKEN.

The recent clamp down on imported chicken and turkey dealers in the country has sparked arguments in various quarters and questions flying everywhere.The major concern of the populace is what is the alternative? do we have enough poultry farmers in the country to produce what we need??,do we have access to hygienically processed chicken,turkey and poultry products?? are these products affordable and readily available???.The answer to these questions is a simple yes!!!! we have the capacity to feed our citizens.In our markets today, when you buy chicken or turkey,there are operators there that render services such as killing/bleeding, defeathering ,cutting and packaging.We also have poultry farms that process various types and package for sale and they are so affordable.These products are supplied to shopping malls all over the country,and since they are packaged according to weight,it makes shopping so easy. Now you know....you have the facts ,go to your mall or market and stock up.I almost forgot to add an important detail,they taste so good ,crispy,juicy so delicious. There is so much food in the land its lack of information,wisdom and understanding that is causing us to cast off our treasures and take up stones. # changeit.@move naija forward. One of the numerous brands that provide hygienically dressed chicken @ proudly naija.

BIRD FLU............NEWS TODAY.

The avian influenza virus is still very much around ,and only active surveillance,isolation and decontamination can actually prevent an epidemic. The avian influenza virus has ravaged poultry in many countries,causing death in some humans and has caused untold hardship to affected small scale farmers and severe economic losses to affected countries. The latest to feel the avian influenza surge is Stearns county in Minnesota where the virulent avian influenza strain H5N2 has been discovered in a flock of 39,000 turkey farm. The farm in Stearns county ,northwest Minneapolis is currently quarantined and all flock culled to prevent spread of the virus.There has been recent infections of avian influenza in states stretching from Arkansas to Oregon,this has prompted overseas buyers to limit imports from the United states. The avian influenza virus has been traced to the water fowl and wild birds that are usually migrating, carrying the virus and shedding same in their drooping and bodily secretions.Its the contamination of the feed/water source of domesticated poultry that facilitates spread of the virus.The reported outbreaks have stemmed from poultry in close proximity to large bodies of water and those backyard farms that wild birds can easily access. The avian influenza virus is very virulent with a sudden onset affecting all the flock with signs such as bulbous comb and wattles which are blood tinged,bloody shanks,severe nervous in coordination expressed as severe tumbling/rolling over and this culminates in death. The bio security protocol is of paramount importance in curbing the spread of the virus; cleaning and disinfecting poultry houses,barns,yards are important.Collection of poultry birds from disease- free stock,isolation/quarantine of new stock,provision of foot dip with disinfectants,purifying water source and restriction of visitors to poultry houses. The chemical of choice that is internationally acclaimed to kill the avian influenza virus is the VIRKON S, the regular use on the farm will prevent the entrance of common farm pathogens and especially the avian influenza virus.